Russia is exploiting this outdated election law to pay American influencers to sway voters [Video]

Russia has long used social media to launch disinformation campaigns to sway the American public during elections.

While some social media companies have worked to prevent the spread of questionable content, Russia seems to have found a new, perfectly legal way in: influencers.

The Justice Department on Wednesday filed conspiracy charges against two Russian nationals who Attorney General Merrick Garland said engaged in a “$10 million scheme to create and distribute content to US audiences with hidden Russian government messaging.” He called it a Russian attempt to “exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts.”

Daniel Weiner, the Elections and Government Program director at the Brennan Center for Justice, told Business Insider the case demonstrates a “huge gap” in political advertising rules.

The Federal Elections Commission requires clear ad disclaimers on broadcast, newspaper, and internet content detailing who paid for the ad. …